Surface cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

A door opening mechanism is operable by an actuator (1140) to open a dirt chamber door (1070) to a dirt collection chamber (1066). The door (1070) is movable about a pivot (1072) between a closed position and an open position. In some examples, the actuator (1140) may be located on the same side of the dirt collection chamber (1066) as the pivot (1072). In some examples, the actuator (1140) may be positioned vertically higher than the pivot (1072) when the dirt collection chamber (1066) is in the emptied position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a national phase entry of international patent application No. PCT/CN2022/084487, filed on Mar. 31, 2022, which itself claims benefit to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/253,876, filed on Oct. 8, 2021, entitled SURFACE CLEANING APPARATUS, and said PCT/CN2022/084487 is also a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/801,884, filed on Feb. 26, 2020, the content of each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to surface cleaning apparatuses, methods for emptying debris from a dirt collection region of a surface cleaning apparatus, the construction of an air treatment member assembly and components thereof

INTRODUCTION

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.

Various constructions for surface cleaning apparatuses, such as vacuum cleaners, are known. Air may be drawn into the surface cleaning apparatus through a dirty air inlet and conveyed to an air treatment assembly, such as, for example, a cyclonic air treatment assembly. Within the air treatment assembly, some of the particulate matter (i.e., debris) captured within the airflow stream may be disentrained from the airflow stream. This disentrained debris may then be collected in a dirt collection region of the air treatment assembly. When the dirt collection region is full of debris, a user of the surface cleaning apparatus may empty the dirt collection region into, for example, a garbage bin.

SUMMARY

This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.

In one aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an air treatment assembly that comprises a dirt collection region having an openable end, which may be an openable door, which may be a bottom openable door. The dirt collection region end may open a dirt collection region that is internal or external to an air treatment chamber (e.g., a cyclone chamber) or both an external dirt collection region and the air treatment chamber. Alternately, if dirt is collected only in the air treatment chamber, then the dirt collection region end may only open the air treatment chamber. The air treatment assembly is provided with an actuator for the dirt collection region end that is located on one side of the air treatment assembly and a lock is provided on another side, optionally the opposed side, of the air treatment assembly. The actuator may be on the same side of a dirt collection region as a pivot hinge of the openable dirt collection region end (e.g., the door). Positioning the actuator and the pivot of the door on the same side of the dirt collection chamber reduces the likelihood that a user's hand will contact debris when emptying the dirt collection chamber.

An advantage of this aspect is that a user's hand need not be required to be placed in very close proximity to the dirt collection region end or the open end of the air treatment assembly. Accordingly, when the air treatment assembly is opened, a user's hand may be positioned remote from the debris that is expelled from the dirt collection region and the user's hand need not be dirtied by the debris during the emptying process. It will be appreciated that, when a dirt collection region is opened, finer dust may balloon and form a cloud around the bottom of the dirt collection region. In accordance with this aspect, a user's hand may be positioned away from any such cloud.

In another aspect of this disclosure, an actuator is positioned vertically higher than the pivot hinge of the openable dirt collection region end when the dirt collection region end is in the open position. Positioning the actuator vertically higher than the pivot hinge of the dirt collection region end when the dirt collection region end is in the open position may allow for a user to insert the bottom end of the dirt collection region into, for example, a garbage bin, and then open the dirt collection region end without inserting their hand into the garbage bin.

An advantage of this aspect is that a user's hands need not be inserted into a garbage bin to open the dirt collection region end to enable the dirt collection region to be emptied. In this way, any cloud of dirt that may form when a dirt collection region is opened may be located mostly or solely in the garbage bin and remote from the user's hands.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path, the         air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment chamber         having an air treatment chamber air inlet, an air treatment         chamber air outlet and a dirt collection region, the dirt         collection region having a dirt collection region end that is         moveable between a closed position and an open position;     -   (c) a lock operable between a locked position in which the dirt         collection region end is securable in the closed position and an         unlocked position in which the dirt collection region end is         openable; and,     -   (d) an actuator drivingly connected to the lock and operable to         move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position,     -   wherein the actuator is provided on a first side of the air         treatment assembly and the lock is provided on a second side of         the air treatment assembly.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the actuator may be used to both open and close the dirt collection region end. Alternately, or in addition, a biasing member may be provided to move the dirt collection region end from the open position towards or to a closed position.

During emptying, dirt may accumulate on the exterior side of the dirt collection region end. Accordingly, an advantage of this aspect is that a user need not touch the dirt collection region end to close the dirt collection region end and may therefore avoid contacting a surface which may have dirt thereon.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path, the         air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment chamber         having an air treatment chamber air inlet, an air treatment         chamber and a dirt collection region, the dirt collection region         having an end that is moveable between a closed position and an         open position; and,     -   (c) an actuator drivingly connected to the dirt collection         region end to move the dirt collection region end from the         closed position to the open position and also to move the dirt         collection region end, when opened, to the closed position.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the air treatment chamber and the dirt collection region may open sequentially instead of concurrently. For example, a dirt collection region (chamber) that is external to the air treatment chamber may be positioned axially from (e.g., below) the air treatment chamber. In such an embodiment, the dirt collection chamber may be separated from the air treatment chamber by an openable end wall of the air treatment chamber. The dirt collection chamber may be positioned, at least in part, between the openable end wall of the air treatment chamber and an openable end wall of the dirt collection chamber. In accordance with this aspect, the openable end wall of the dirt collection chamber opens prior to the openable end wall of the air treatment chamber being opened. An advantage of this aspect is that dirt that has been collected in the dirt collection chamber may be at least partially emptied prior to the air treatment chamber being opened. If the dirt collection chamber and the air treatment chamber were opened concurrently, then dirt collected in the dirt collection chamber may be compressed, which may make emptying the dirt collection chamber less likely to occur using just gravity.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path, the         air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment chamber and a         dirt collection chamber that is external to the air treatment         chamber, the air treatment chamber having an air treatment         chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber air outlet and a         dirt outlet in communication with the dirt collection chamber,         the air treatment chamber having an openable air treatment         chamber end that is moveable between a closed position and an         open position and the dirt collection chamber having a dirt         collection chamber end that is moveable between a closed         position and an open position; and,     -   (c) an actuator is also drivingly connected to the air treatment         chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end, the actuator is         operable between a closed position in which each of the air         treatment chamber and the dirt collection chamber is closed and         an open position in which each of the air treatment chamber and         the dirt collection chamber is open,     -   wherein the actuator is operable to move one of the air         treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end from         the closed position while the other of the air treatment chamber         end and the dirt collection chamber end remains in the closed         position.

In another aspect of this disclosure, a pre-motor filter may be provided in a removable air treatment assembly. For example, an upright vacuum cleaner or a hand vacuum cleaner may have a removable air treatment assembly (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly). The pre-motor filter may be removable with the air treatment assembly.

An advantage of this design is that the filter may be removable with an air treatment chamber and transported, e.g., to a garbage can. Once at the garbage can, the air treatment chamber may be emptied. In addition, the pre-motor filter may be removed and agitated to remove dirt from the upstream side thereof.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided an upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and a         surface cleaning head air outlet;     -   (b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface cleaning         head between an upright storage position and a reclined         operating position;     -   (c) air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (d) an air treatment assembly that is removably mountable to the         upright section and is provided in the air flow path when         mounted to the upright section, the air treatment assembly         comprising an air treatment chamber having an air treatment         chamber air inlet and an air treatment chamber air outlet that         is provided at an air outlet end of the air treatment chamber;         and,     -   (e) a pre-motor filter that is provided in the air outlet end of         the air treatment chamber and downstream of the air outlet of         the air treatment chamber,     -   whereby the pre-motor filter is removable with the air treatment         assembly when the air treatment assembly is removed from the         upright section.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path, the         air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment chamber and a         dirt collection chamber external to the air treatment chamber,         the air treatment chamber having an air treatment chamber air         inlet, an air treatment chamber air outlet and a dirt outlet in         communication with the dirt collection chamber, the air         treatment assembly has a first end, an opposed second the end         and an axis extends between the first and second ends; and,     -   (c) a pre-motor filter that is provided downstream of the air         outlet end of the air treatment chamber,     -   wherein a plane that is transverse to the axis extends through         the dirt collection chamber and the pre-motor filter.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path, the         air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment chamber and a         dirt collection chamber external to the air treatment chamber,         the air treatment chamber having an air treatment chamber air         inlet, an air treatment chamber air outlet and a dirt outlet in         communication with the dirt collection chamber, the air         treatment assembly has a first end, an opposed second the end         and an axis extends between the first and second ends; and,     -   (c) air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path; and,     -   (d) a pre-motor filter that is provided downstream of the air         outlet end of the air treatment chamber,     -   wherein the second end of the air treatment assembly has a         cross-sectional area in a first plane that is transverse to the         axis that is larger than a cross-sectional area of a downstream         face of the pre-motor filter in a second plane that is         transverse to the axis.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the air treatment chamber, optionally a cyclone chamber, has a screen at the outlet end. The screen is conical and extends at a small acute angle (e.g., 5°-15°) to the air treatment chamber (cyclone) axis.

An advantage of this design is that the radial diameter of the screen may remain relatively small as compared to the radial diameter of the air treatment chamber (e.g., cyclone chamber). Accordingly, if hair becomes wrapped around the screen, then the radial outer extent of the hair wrapped around the screen may be reduced and therefore air may be able to rotate (cyclone) in the chamber for a longer period of time without emptying the chamber.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path; and,     -   (b) a cyclone chamber provided in the air flow path, the cyclone         chamber comprising a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and         a cyclone axis of rotation, the cyclone air outlet comprising a         conical screen wherein the screen extends at an angle from         5°-15° from the cyclone axis of rotation.

In another aspect of this disclosure, an air treatment chamber air inlet (e.g., cyclone air inlet) has generally linearly extended sides, in the direction of the air treatment chamber axis (e.g., the cyclone axis of rotation), that extend between axially spaced apart ends of the inlet. The axially spaced apart ends may be rounded (e.g., arcuate) in a direction transverse to the axis (e.g., the radial direction).

An advantage of this aspect is that the air that is introduced into a cyclone chamber may be relatively thin in the radial direction. Accordingly, the cyclone chamber may be thinner so as to provide a surface cleaning apparatus with a thinner and, optionally taller, cyclone chamber.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path; and     -   (b) a cyclone chamber provided in the air flow path, the cyclone         chamber comprising a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone air outlet and         a cyclone axis of rotation, the cyclone air inlet have an outlet         port at a downstream end of the cyclone air inlet, wherein the         outlet port has a perimeter comprising first and second opposed         sides that are generally linear, each side having a first end         and a spaced apart second end, a third side that extends between         the first ends of the first and second sides and a fourth side         that extends between the second ends of the first and second         sides, wherein at least one of the third and fourth sides is         arcuate.

In another aspect of this disclosure, the air outlet shroud or screen of an air treatment chamber (e.g., a cyclone chamber) may have a helical member on the exterior thereof. The helical member (e.g., rib) may be integrally formed as part of the shroud or screen or may be a separate part that is removably mounted around an exterior of the shroud or screen.

An advantage of this design is that if hair becomes wrapped around the screen, then the hair may be removable by rotating the wrapped hair in the direction of rotation of the helical member.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment chamber positioned in the air flow path,         the air treatment chamber having an air treatment chamber air         inlet, an air treatment chamber air out, a first end, a second         end and an axis the extends between the first and second ends,         the air treatment chamber air outlet comprising an outlet port         and a porous member positioned upstream of the outlet port and         extending axially into the air treatment chamber; and,     -   (c) a helical member positioned radially outwardly of the porous         member and extending around the porous member.

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, there is also provided a surface cleaning apparatus comprising:

-   -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean         air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air         flow path;     -   (b) an air treatment chamber positioned in the air flow path,         the air treatment chamber having an air treatment chamber air         inlet, an air treatment chamber air out, a first end, a second         end and an axis the extends between the first and second ends,         the air treatment chamber air outlet comprising an outlet port         and a porous member positioned upstream of the outlet port and         extending axially into the air treatment chamber; and,     -   (c) a tapered member positioned radially outwardly of the porous         member and comprising a plurality of spiral ribs extending         around the porous member.

It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that an apparatus or method disclosed herein may embody any one or more of the features contained herein and that the features may be used in any particular combination or sub-combination.

These and other aspects and features of various embodiments will be described in greater detail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the described embodiments and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 1B is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1A, taken along line 1B-1B in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an enlarged view of an air treatment assembly of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a front perspective view of an air treatment assembly;

FIG. 2B is a rear perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a top view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2D is a rear view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2E is a rear perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A, shown with a driving linkage guard removed;

FIG. 2F is a cross sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2F-2F in FIG. 2C;

FIG. 2G is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2G-2G in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2H is a cross-sectional perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2H-2H in FIG. 2C, shown with an actuator in a closed position;

FIG. 2I is a cross-sectional perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2H-2H in FIG. 2C, shown with the actuator in an intermediate position;

FIG. 2J is a cross-sectional perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 2A, taken along line 2H-2H in FIG. 2C, shown with the actuator in an open position;

FIG. 3A is a front cross-sectional perspective view of an alternate embodiment of an air treatment assembly;

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a rear cross-sectional perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly;

FIG. 4B is a rear perspective view the air treatment assembly of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 4A, shown with a portion of the dirt collection region side wall removed and shown with a dirt collection region end and an air treatment chamber end of the air treatment assembly in the closed position;

FIG. 4D is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 4C, shown with the dirt collection region end and the air treatment chamber end in a partially open position;

FIG. 4E is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 4C, shown with the dirt collection region end and the air treatment chamber end in an open position;

FIG. 5A is a rear perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 5A, taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A, shown with a dirt collection region end and an air treatment chamber end in a closed position;

FIG. 5C is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 5A, taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A, shown with the dirt collection region end and the air treatment chamber end in a partially open position;

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 5A, taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A, shown with the dirt collection region end and the air treatment chamber end in an open position;

FIG. 6A is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 6B is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 6A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 6A, taken along line 6C-6C in FIG. 6A with the dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 6D is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 6A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position, taken along line 6D-6D in FIG. 6B;

FIG. 7A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 7B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 7A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 8A is a rear perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly;

FIG. 8B is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 8A, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 8C is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 8A, shown with a dirt collection region end in a partially open position;

FIG. 8D is a front perspective view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 8A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 8E is a cross sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 8A, taken along line 8E-8E in FIG. 8B;

FIG. 8F is a cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 8C, taken along line 8F-8F in FIG. 8C;

FIG. 8G is a cross sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 12D, taken along line 8G-8G in FIG. 8D;

FIG. 9A is a front perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly;

FIG. 9B is a rear perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 9A, taken along line 9B-9B in FIG. 9A, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 9C is a rear perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 9A, taken along line 9B-9B in FIG. 9A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 10A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 10B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 10A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 11A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 11B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 11A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 12A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 12B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 12A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 13A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 13B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 13A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 14A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 14B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 14A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 15A is a front perspective cross-sectional view of a further alternative embodiment of an air treatment assembly, shown with a dirt collection region end in a closed position;

FIG. 15B is a front perspective cross-sectional view of the air treatment assembly of FIG. 15A, shown with the dirt collection region end in an open position;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a vortex finder for a cyclone chamber;

FIG. 17A is a top perspective view of a helical member; and,

FIG. 17B is a bottom perspective view of the helical member of FIG. 17A.

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

Various apparatuses will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses having all of the features of any one apparatus described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

The terms “an embodiment”, “embodiment”, “embodiments”, “the embodiment”, “the embodiments”, “one or more embodiments”, “some embodiments”, and “one embodiment” mean “one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s),” unless expressly specified otherwise.

The terms “including”, “comprising”, and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to”, unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a”, “an”, and “the” mean “one or more”, unless expressly specified otherwise.

As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, or “fastened” where the parts are joined or operate together either directly or indirectly (i.e., through one or more intermediate parts), so long as a link occurs. As used herein and in the claims, two or more parts are said to be “directly coupled”, “directly connected”, “directly attached”, or “directly fastened” where the parts are connected in physical contact with each other. As used herein, two or more parts are said to be “rigidly coupled”, “rigidly connected”, “rigidly attached”, or “rigidly fastened” where the parts are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other. None of the terms “coupled”, “connected”, “attached”, and “fastened” distinguish the manner in which two or more parts are joined together.

Some elements herein may be identified by a part number, which is composed of a base number followed by an alphabetical or subscript-numerical suffix (e.g., 112 a, or 112 ₁). Multiple elements herein may be identified by part numbers that share a base number in common and that differ by their suffixes (e.g., 112 ₁, 112 ₂, and 112 ₃). All elements with a common base number may be referred to collectively or generically using the base number without a suffix (e.g., 112).

It should be noted that terms of degree such as “substantially”, “about”, and “approximately” as used herein mean a reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result is not significantly changed. These terms of degree may also be construed as including a deviation of the modified term, such as by 1%, 2%, 5% or 10%, for example, if this deviation does not negate the meaning of the term it modifies.

Furthermore, the recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints herein includes all numbers and fractions subsumed within that range (e.g., 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.90, 4, and 5). It is also to be understood that all numbers and fractions thereof are presumed to be modified by the term “about” which means a variation of up to a certain amount of the number to which reference is being made if the end result is not significantly changed, such as 1%, 2%, 5%, or 10%, for example.

General Description of a Surface Cleaning Apparatus

Referring to the Figures, exemplary embodiments of surface cleaning apparatuses 1000 are shown. The following is a general discussion of surface cleaning apparatuses 1000 which provides a basis for understanding several of the features which are discussed herein. As discussed subsequently, each of the features may be used individually or in any particular combination or sub-combination in this or in other embodiments disclosed herein.

In the illustrated embodiments, the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 is an upright surface cleaning apparatus, which may also be referred to also as an “upright vacuum cleaner” or an “upright”. The upright surface cleaning apparatus shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C can be operated in a vacuum cleaner mode and optionally in an extractor mode. While the illustrated embodiment in FIGS. 1A to 1C depict an example of an upright vacuum cleaner, it is to be understood that many of the features described herein may relate to, and be used within, non-upright vacuum cleaners, such as, for example, hand vacuum cleaners, canister vacuum cleaners, stick vacuum cleaners, all-in-head vacuum cleaners, wet/dry vacuum cleaners, extractors, etc.

In the illustrated example, the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 includes a surface cleaning head 1002 that is configured to travel (e.g., roll) across a surface to be cleaned, such as a floor. The surface cleaning head 1002 may be of any suitable design, and may include a variety of features, such as one or more of rotating brushes, static brushes, squeegees, liquid application nozzles or sprayers, treatment units, motors, lights, and the like. The surface cleaning head 1002 includes at least one surface cleaning head air inlet 1004 (i.e., dirty air inlet 1004), which may be positioned proximate the floor when the surface cleaning head 1002 is in a surface cleaning position (e.g., on a floor) and at least one surface cleaning head air outlet 1006. The surface cleaning head air inlet 1004 may be configured to receive relatively dry air, dirt, debris and the like, as would any dirty air inlet 1004 of any vacuum cleaner. The dirty air inlet 1004 may optionally be configured to receive liquids, such as water, cleaning solutions and other liquids that may be on the surface, as would any extractor.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the surface cleaning head 1002 may include a body 1008, a pair of rear wheels 1010 connected to the body 1008 to rollingly support the surface cleaning head 1002 above a surface to be cleaned and, optionally a pair of front wheels or glides 1012. If the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 is an upright surface cleaning apparatus, then the surface cleaning head 1002 may also include a support member 1014 (see FIG. 1B) that is moveably (e.g., pivotally) connected to the body 1008 by, e.g., a pivot joint 1016 so as to be able to pivot about an axis 1018, between an upright, storage position and an inclined, surface cleaning position. The support member 1014 may include the surface cleaning head air outlet 1006. The support member 1014 may be any such member known in the art and may optionally comprise or consist of an up flow duct.

The surface cleaning apparatus 1000 may include an upright section 1030 that is mounted to the support member 1014. The upright section 1030 may be removably mounted to support member 1014. Optionally, the upright section 1030 may also be steeringly connected to the surface cleaning head 1002. That is, the upright section 1030 may be movable in at least one other degree of freedom relative to the surface cleaning head 1002 to help facilitate steering of the surface cleaning head 1002. For example, the upright section 1030 may be rotatably connected to the support member 1014 so that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis 1032 relative to the surface cleaning head 1002. Alternatively, or in addition, the upright section 1030 may be pivotable about a different, second (e.g., a forwardly extending horizontal) pivot axis relative to the surface cleaning head 1002. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any mounting or removable mounting structure known in the art may be used.

A drive handle 1034 may be provided on the upright section 1030, optionally toward its upper end 1036, and a user may grasp the drive handle 1034 to maneuver and/or steer the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 across a surface.

Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus may be useable in an above floor cleaning mode. Accordingly, as exemplified in FIG. 1A, the air flow path 1044 may include at least one flexible fluid flow conduit member 1046 (e.g., a hose) and at least one rigid fluid flow conduit member 1048 (e.g., a wand). The inlet (upstream) end of the wand may be the dirty air inlet in the above floor cleaning mode.

As exemplified in FIG. 1C, the cleaning unit 1040 may include least one fan and motor assembly 1050, provided in a fan and motor housing 1052, and at least one air treatment assembly 1054 that are provided in the air flow path 1044 to separate dirt, debris, and/or liquids from the fluid traveling through the surface cleaning apparatus 1000.

As exemplified, the upright section 1030 may include a cleaning unit 1040 (which may be a portable cleaning unit) which is fluidly connected between the dirty air inlet 1004 and a clean air outlet 1042 of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 via an air flow path 1044 or passage. As exemplified, the clean air outlet 1042 may be part of the cleaning unit 1040. The cleaning unit may be a sub unit of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 that is removable for use in a portable mode. For example, the cleaning unit may comprise the air treatment member(s) (e.g., air treatment assembly 1054 as discussed subsequently) and the fan and motor assembly 1050. These components may be removable, optionally with the flexible fluid flow conduit member 1046 and the rigid fluid flow conduit member 1048.

Optionally, at least one air treatment assembly 1054 may be removably mounted to the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 for emptying. The air treatment assembly 1054 may be part of a removable cleaning unit 1040 and/or, as exemplified in FIG. 2A, the air treatment assembly 1054 may be detachable from the fan and motor assembly 1050, such as the upper end thereof. Detaching the at least one air treatment assembly 1054 from the fan and motor assembly 1050 may be desirable when discharging dirt and debris from the air treatment assembly 1054 into, for example, a garbage bin.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 1B, the fan and motor assembly 1050 is positioned downstream from the air treatment assembly 1054, although it may be positioned upstream of the air treatment assembly 1054 (e.g., a dirty air motor) in alternative embodiments. As discussed subsequently, the air treatment assembly 1054 may be releasably mounted to the upper end (air inlet end) of the fan and motor assembly 1050 and the fan and motor assembly may form part of (e.g., a downstream header) of a pre-motor filter housing. Any releasable locking member known in the art may be used to releasably secure the air treatment assembly 1054 to another portion (e.g., the fan and motor assembly 1050) of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000.

The air treatment assembly 1054 is configured to remove particles of dirt and other debris from the air flow and/or otherwise treat the air flow. Any air treatment assembly 1054 known in the art may be used. As exemplified in FIG. 2F, the air treatment assembly 1054 may include an air treatment chamber 1058 and a dirt collection region 1060 (which as exemplified is an external dirt collection chamber 1066). Dirty air may enter the air treatment chamber 1058 via an air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 and exit the air treatment chamber 1058 as relatively cleaner air via an air treatment chamber air outlet 1064.

The dirt collection region 1060 may be positioned within the air treatment chamber 1058 or it may be positioned external to the air treatment chamber 1058 (i.e., may be an external dirt collection chamber 1066).

The dirt collection region 1060 may have a dirt collection region end 1070 that is moveable between a closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 2H) and an open position (see, e.g., FIG. 2J) to facilitate the discharge of dirt and debris that has been collected within the dirt collection region 1060 into, for example, a garbage bin. It will be appreciated that the dirt collection region end 1070 may be moveable in any manner with respect to the remainder of the dirt collection region and it may be rotatably mounted thereto. As exemplified, the dirt collection region end 1070 is moveable between the closed position and the open position about a pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 (e.g., a hinge). When transitioning from the closed position to the open position, the dirt collection region end 1070 may rotate any distance. For example, the dirt collection region end may rotate 90° when translating from the closed position to the open position, more than 90°, or less than 90°.

When the dirt collection region 1060 is positioned within the air treatment chamber 1058 (i.e., it is a portion of the air treatment chamber 1058), opening the dirt collection region end 1070 opens both the dirt collection region 1060 and the air treatment chamber 1058.

In examples in which the dirt collection region 1060 is an external dirt collection chamber 1066, optionally, the air treatment chamber 1058 may have an air treatment chamber end 1076 that is openable and that may be concurrently openable with the dirt collection region end 1070. For example, the air treatment chamber end 1076 and the dirt collection region end 1070 may be a single, e.g., bottom, door. In such am embodiment, dirt and debris collected in the air treatment chamber 1058 and dirt and debris collected in the dirt collection chamber 1066 can be discharged therefrom, optionally concurrently. The openable air treatment chamber end 1076 and the openable dirt collection region end 1070 may be openable independently or concurrently. The openable air treatment chamber end 1076 may be a plate or air treatment chamber end wall.

The external dirt collection chamber 1066 may be positioned laterally beside the air treatment chamber 1058. Alternately, or in addition, part or all of the external dirt collection chamber 1066 may be positioned axially from the air treatment chamber. As exemplified in FIG. 2I, a portion of the dirt collection chamber 1066 is positioned laterally beside the air treatment chamber 1058 and a portion is positioned axially below the air treatment chamber 1058. Accordingly, part of the dirt collection chamber 1066 is positioned between the openable air treatment chamber end 1076 and the openable dirt collection region end 1070.

Optionally, the dirt collection region end 1070 may open to approximately 30°, 45°, 60°, 75° or 90° before the air treatment chamber end 1076 (e.g., arrester plate) begins to open. If at least part of the dirt collection chamber 1066 is positioned between the openable air treatment chamber end 1076 and the openable dirt collection region end 1070, opening the dirt collection region end 1070 first may decompresses dirt and debris collected in the dirt collection chamber 1066.

Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 may include a lock 1082 for securing the dirt collection region end 1070 in the closed position when in a locked position and releasing the dirt collection region end 1070 from the closed position when in an unlocked position.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2J, the air treatment assembly 1054 is a cyclone assembly 1084 having a single cyclone chamber 1086 and a dirt collection chamber 1066 external to the cyclone chamber 1086 (i.e., a single cyclonic cleaning stage). The cyclone chamber 1086 and dirt collection chamber 1066 may be of any configuration suitable for separating debris from an air flow and collecting the separated debris, respectively. For example, the cyclone chamber 1086 may be a uniflow cyclone (i.e., a cyclone with a unidirectional flow of air). A uniflow cyclone has a cyclone air inlet (i.e., an air treatment chamber air inlet 1062) at a first end 1090 of the cyclone chamber 1086 and a cyclone chamber air outlet (i.e., an air treatment chamber air outlet 1064) at an opposite end 1092 of the cyclone chamber 1086. In other examples, as is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2J, the cyclone chamber 1086 may not be a uniflow, and the air treatment chamber (cyclone chamber) air inlet 1062 and the air treatment chamber (cyclone chamber) air outlet 1064 may be posited at the same end of the cyclone chamber 1086. As exemplified, the cyclone chamber 1086 is an inverted cyclone chamber (i.e., the cyclone chamber air inlet 1062 and the cyclone chamber air outlet 1064 are at the lower end of the cyclone chamber 1086).

The cyclone chamber 1086 may be oriented in any direction. For example, when the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 is oriented with the first end 1090 (i.e., upper end) above the opposite end 1092 (i.e., lower end), e.g., positioned generally perpendicular to a horizontal surface, a central axis, or axis of rotation 1100, of the cyclone chamber 1086 may be oriented vertically, as exemplified in FIG. 1B. In alternative embodiments, the cyclone chamber 1086 may be oriented horizontally, or at any angle between horizontal and vertical.

The cyclone chamber 1086 may be of any shape or size know in the art. For example, in some embodiments, the cyclone chamber 1086 may have an axial length 1102 that is 1.1-2 times a diameter 1104 of the cyclone chamber 1086. In other embodiments, the cyclone chamber 1086 may have an axial length 1102 that is 1.25-2 times or 1.25-1.5 times a diameter 1104 of the cyclone chamber 1086.

In alternative embodiments, the cyclone assembly 1084 may include two or more cyclonic cleaning stages arranged in series with each other. Each cyclonic cleaning stage may include one or more cyclone chambers 1086 (arranged in parallel or series with each other) and one or more dirt collection regions 1060 of any suitable configuration. Each of the one or more cyclone chambers 1086 of each cyclonic cleaning stage may have an individual dirt collection region 1060 or two or more cyclone chambers of a cyclonic stage may share a common dirt collection region 1060. The dirt collection region(s) 1060 may be external to the cyclone chamber(s) 1086 (i.e., be configured as dirt collection chamber(s)) 1066 or be internal the cyclone chamber(s) 1086.

As exemplified in FIG. 2F, a dirt outlet 1108 may connect the air treatment chamber 1058 to the dirt collection chamber 1066. If the cyclone chamber 1086 is an inverted cyclone chamber as exemplified, then the dirt outlet 1108 may be at an upper end of the cyclone chamber 1086. In other examples, the dirt outlet may be provided at other locations as is known in the art.

In other embodiments (not shown), the air treatment chamber 1058 of the air treatment assembly 1054 may not include a cyclonic cleaning stage, and can incorporate a bag, a porous physical filter media (such as foam or felt), or other air treating means.

As exemplified in FIG. 1B, the surface cleaning apparatus may include a pre-motor filter 1110 in a pre-motor filter housing 1112 provided in the air flow path 1044 downstream of the air treatment assembly 1054 and upstream of the fan and motor assembly 1050. The pre-motor filter housing 1112 may be of any suitable construction known in the art. The pre-motor filter 1110 may have an upstream end 1114 and a downstream end 1116. The pre-motor filter 1110 may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and have any suitable shape. For example, the pre-motor filter 1110 may be one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1B, the pre-motor filter 1110 is generally planar in shape.

Optionally, the pre-motor filter housing 1112 may be openable to provide access to an interior of the pre-motor filter housing 1112. Optionally, the pre-motor filter housing 1112 may be openable when the air treatment assembly 1054 is removed for emptying.

The surface cleaning apparatus 1000 may also include a post-motor filter provided in the air flow path 1044 downstream of the fan and motor assembly 1050 and upstream of a clean air outlet 1042 (e.g., in the open volume of FIG. 1C in which reference numeral 1116 is positioned). The post-motor filter may be formed from any suitable physical, porous filter media and having any suitable shape. The post-motor filter may be any suitable type of filter such as one or more of a foam filter, felt filter, HEPA filter, other physical filter media, electrostatic filter, and the like.

Power may be supplied to the fan and motor assembly 1050 and other electrical components of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 from an onboard energy storage member which may include, for example, one or more batteries or other energy storage devices. In alternative embodiments, in addition to the energy storage member or instead of the energy storage member, power may be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus by an electrical cord 1120 that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet (see FIG. 1A).

A power switch 1122 may be provided to selectively control the operation of the fan and motor assembly 1050 (e.g., either on/off or variable power levels or both), for example by establishing a power connection between the energy storage member and the fan and motor assembly 1050. The power switch 1122 may be of any suitable type (e.g., a button, rotary switch, sliding switch, trigger-type actuator and the like) and may be provided at any suitable location (e.g., on the handle as exemplified in FIG. 1A, on the air treatment assembly 1054, a foot pedal, or the like). The power switch 1122 or an alternate controller may also be configured to control other aspects of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 (brush motor on/off, etc.).

A Cleaning Unit Having a Dirt Collection Region Positioned Between an Air Treatment Chamber and the Openable End of the Air Treatment Assembly

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the dirt collection region 1060 may be at least partially positioned between the air treatment chamber 1058 and the openable end 1070 of the air treatment assembly 1054. That is, at least a portion of each of the dirt collection region 1060 and the openable end 1070 of the air treatment assembly 1054 may be within a projection of the air treatment chamber 1058. Optionally, the projection may be in a plane transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100.

In embodiments of the cleaning unit 1040 in which the dirt collection region 1060 is positioned between the air treatment chamber 1058 and openable end 1070 of the air treatment assembly 1054, the air flow path 1044 may include a portion that bypasses or extends through the dirt collection region 1060.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2F, the air flow path 1044 includes a portion (i.e., an air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126) that extends through the dirt collection region 1060 and fluidically connects the air treatment chamber 1058 to the fan and motor assembly 1050 when the air treatment assembly 1054 is mounted to the fan and motor assembly 1050. The air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 may be positioned at any location within the cleaning unit 1040. For example, as shown in FIG. 2I, the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 may linearly extend through the dirt collection region 1060.

Optionally, as exemplified in FIG. 2J, the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 may be fixed at a first end 1128 to the air treatment chamber end 1076 and may be disengageable at a second end 1130 from the dirt collection region end 1070. Alternatively, the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 may be fixed at the second end 1130 to the dirt collection region end 1070 and may be disengageable at the first end 1128 from the air treatment chamber end 1076.

Alternatively, as exemplified in FIG. 12B, the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 may be at least partially disengageable from at least one, and optionally both, of the air treatment chamber end 1076 and the dirt collection region end 1070.

General Description of an Actuator

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the surface cleaning apparatus may comprise an actuator 1140 that is operable to open at least the dirt collection region end 1070 and/or to unlock the dirt collection region end 1070 so it may be opened. Accordingly, the actuator 1140 may be movable between a first (closed or locked) position and a second (open or unlocked) position and movement of the actuator 1140 from the first position to the second position may cause one or more of (1) the dirt collection region end 1070 to open; (2) the dirt collection region end 1070 to close; (3) the lock 1082 to unlock and (4) the lock 1082 to lock. As discussed elsewhere herein, it will be understood that the dirt collection region end 1070 may be an openable end of an air treatment chamber 1058 and/or an external dirt collection chamber 1066.

Any actuator 1140 known in the art may be used. As exemplified in FIGS. 2B, 2D, 2E, 2H-2J, 3A-3C, 4A-4E, 5A-5D, 8A-8G and 9A the actuator 1140 may be a push tab 1142 that is slideably mounted to the air treatment assembly 1054. It will be appreciated that a slideably mounted member may be slideably mounted to an exterior surface of the air treatment assembly or it may be slideably mounted in a slot provided in the air treatment assembly. Alternately, as exemplified in FIGS. 6A-6D and FIGS. 7A-7B, the actuator may be a lever 1144.

As shown in FIGS. 2J and 6A, the actuator 1140 may have an engagement surface 1146 engageable by a user of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 and a body 1148 moveably mounting the engagement surface 1146 to the surface cleaning apparatus 1000. As exemplified in FIG. 2J, the actuator is axially slideably mounted and the body 1148 has a tab portion 1148 a which comprises the engagement surface 1146 and a shaft portion 1148 b (e.g., a rod extending downwardly from the tab 1148 a) having a lower end 1148 c. As exemplified in FIG. 6A, the body 1148 comprises a rotatably mounted lever.

While the drawings only illustrate the actuator 1140 as a part of a surface cleaning apparatus 1000 having a cyclone assembly 1084, it is to be understood that the actuator 1140 may be a component of any surface cleaning apparatus 1000 known in the art. That is, for example, the actuator 1140 may be operable to open at least the dirt collection region end 1070 of an air treatment assembly 1054 that is non-cyclonic.

The actuator 1140 may be positioned at any location on the air treatment assembly 1054. Optionally, as exemplified in FIG. 2D, the actuator 1140 and the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 may be on opposite lateral sides 1132, 1134 of the air treatment assembly 1054.

Alternately or in addition, as exemplified in FIGS. 2B and 2H and discussed subsequently, the actuator 1140 and the the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 may be one side of the air treatment assembly and the lock 1082 that secures the openable end 1070 in the closed position may be on a different and, optionally, opposed side.

Regardless of whether the lock 1082 is on an opposite side of the air treatment assembly or whether the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the lock 1082, the actuator 1140 and the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 may be located on the same side of the dirt collection chamber 1066. Positioning the actuator 1140 and the pivot 1072 on the same side of the dirt collection chamber 1066 may help keep a user's hands clean when emptying the dirt collection region 1060. For example, if a user holds a handle 1170 of the air treatment assembly 1054 of FIG. 2J with their right hand and activates the actuator 1140 with their left hand, both hands are kept clear of the debris as it passes out from the dirt collection region 1060. As shown in FIG. 2J, the dirt collection chamber region end 1070 (i.e., dirt chamber door) may act as a barricade between the user's hand used to operate the actuator 1140 and any debris being expelled from the dirt collection region 1060.

Regardless of the lateral side of the air treatment assembly on which actuator 1140 is provided, or the location of lock 1082, or whether the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the openable end 1070 and/or the lock 1082, as exemplified in FIGS. 2H and 6A, the actuator 1140 (specifically the engagement surface 1146 of the actuator 1140) may be positioned axially from the dirt collection region end 1070 such that the actuator 1140 may be operable to open the dirt collection region end 1070 while the dirt collection region end 1070 is positioned in, e.g., a garbage can. Accordingly, for example, when the air treatment assembly 1054 is oriented vertically as exemplified in FIG. 2H, the tab portion 1148 a may be positioned vertically higher than the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 when the actuator 1140 is in the closed position (see, e.g., FIG. 2H) and, optionally, also when the actuator 1140 is in the open position (see, e.g., FIG. 2J). In such an embodiment, the dirt collection region end 1070 may be positioned in, for example, a garbage bin during emptying of the dirt collection region 1060 and the user need not have to insert their hand into the garbage bin to actuate (i.e., open) the dirt collection region end 1070. As exemplified in FIG. 6A, the pivot for lever 1144 is positioned axially so as to be exterior to a garbage can when the lower end of the air treatment assembly is positioned in the garbage can.

To facilitate the actuator 1140 being vertically higher than the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 during emptying of the dirt collection region 1060, the actuator 1140 may be coupled to a driving linkage 1150. The driving linkage 1150 comprises at least one driving member 1152, and optionally a plurality of driving members 1152, which together transform engagement (e.g., movement) of the engagement surface 1146 by a user of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 into actuation (i.e., opening) of at least the dirt collection region end 1070.

The driving linkage 1150 may be operably connected to a lock 1082 whereby movement of the actuator 1140 from a closed position to an open position moves the driving linkage 1150 from a closed or locked position to an open or unlocked position which moves the lock 1082 from a locked position to an unlocked position. Alternately, or in addition, the driving linkage 1150 may be drivingly connected to an openable end of the air treatment chamber 1058 and/or an openable end of the dirt collection region 1060. Accordingly, movement of the actuator 1140 from the closed position to the open position may drive the openable end of the air treatment chamber 1058 and/or the openable end of the dirt collection region 1060 from the closed position to the open position and/or movement of the actuator 1140 from the open position to the closed position may drive the openable end of the air treatment chamber 1058 and/or the openable end of the dirt collection region 1060 from the open position to the closed position.

In the exemplified embodiment of FIGS. 2A-2J, the driving linkage 1150 comprises an upwardly extending driving member 1154 to facilitate the actuator 1140 being vertically higher than the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070. The upwardly extending driving member 1154 may extend generally parallel to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100. Any upwardly extending driving member 1154 known in the art may be used. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2J, the upwardly extending driving member 1154 is a mechanical linkage 1156 (e.g., an axially extending rod) with an upper fixed pivot point 1158 connecting the mechanical linkage 1156 to the lower end 1148 c of the shaft portion 1148 b of the body 1148 of the actuator 1140 and a sliding pivot slot 1160 connecting the mechanical linkage 1156 to the dirt collection region end 1070.

As exemplified in FIGS. 4A-4E and 5A-5D, the actuator may use a rack and pinion linking mechanism, which may optionally use pullies 1164. As exemplified, the upwardly extending driving member 1154 is a belt 1162 that extends between two pullies 1164 (see, e.g., FIG. 4A).

In the example illustrated in FIG. 13A, the upwardly extending driving member is a plurality of gears 1166.

In other examples, there may not be a distinct upwardly extending driving member 1154 and the body 1148 of the actuator 1140 may extend between the engagement surface 1146 positioned vertically higher than the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 and the dirt collection region end 1070. For example, as exemplified in FIGS. 6A-6D, 7A-7B and 8A-8D, a plurality of levers may be used.

In some embodiments, the actuator 1140 may be biased to one of the first position and the second position. It may be desirable to bias the actuator 1140 in a position that corresponds with the dirt collection region end 1070 being closed and/or the lock 1082 being locked to reduce the likeliness of accidental discharge of debris from the dirt collection region 1060. Biasing the actuator 1140 to a position that corresponds with the dirt collection region end 1070 being closed may also facilitate automatic closure of the dirt collection region end 1070 after operation of the actuator 1140. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4C, a spring 1172 biases the actuator 1140 to the first position.

An Actuator Drivingly Connected to a Lock

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the actuator 1140 may be drivingly connected to the lock 1082 to move the lock 1082 from a first (locked) position to a second (unlocked) position. Specifically, moving the actuator 1140 from the first position (i.e., closed position) to the second position (i.e., open position) moves the lock 1082 from the first position (i.e., a locked position in which first and second inter-engageable locking members 1180, 1182 are inter-engaged) to the second position (i.e., an unlocked position in which the first and second inter-engageable locking members 1180, 1182 are disengaged).

Movement of the lock 1082 from the locked position to the unlocked position may also result in the dirt collection region end 1070 being opened. For example, the dirt collection region end 1070 may be biased to the open position and may therefore automatically open when the lock 1082 is unlocked or the dirt collection region end 1070 may be free to swing open under the force of gravity about the pivot 1072 of the dirt collection region end 1070 when the lock 1082 is unlocked. Alternately, or in addition, a portion of the lock 1082 may be drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 such that movement of the lock 1082 to the unlocked position may also drive the dirt collection region end 1070 to an open position. Alternately, or in addition, as discussed previously, in addition to the actuator 1140 moving the lock 1082 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the actuator 1140 may also open the dirt collection region end 1070. For example, when the actuator 1140 is operated, the lock 1082 may release, and the dirt collection region end 1070 may be driven to open.

Alternately, or in addition, if the air treatment chamber end 1076 is a different element to the dirt collection region end 1070, then moving the lock 1082 from the locked position to the unlocked position may also open the air treatment chamber end 1076 as well as the dirt collection region end 1070.

The lock 1082 may be any mechanism known in the art for holding the dirt collection region end 1070 in a closed position. The lock 1082 may be at any position about the dirt collection region end 1070. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A-2J, the lock 1082 is a mechanically activated latch 1184. As exemplified in FIG. 2H, a distal end 1186 of the latch 1184 may be a male engagement member 1188 such as a tab that extends into an opening 1190 in a body 1192 of the air treatment assembly 1054 (e.g., a female engagement member such as an opening provided in a flange) to hold the dirt collection region end 1070 in the closed position. As shown in FIGS. 2I and 2J, when the distal end 1186 of the latch 1184 is retracted from the opening 1190 of the body 1192 of the air treatment assembly 1054, the dirt collection region end 1070 may be free to swing open or may be driven open.

In accordance with this aspect, the driving linkage 1150 is drivingly connect the actuator 1140 to the lock 1082. As discussed previously, the driving linkage 1150 may comprise one or more and, optionally, a plurality of driving members 1152 that cooperate to drivingly connect the actuator 1140 to the lock 1082. The driving linkage 1150 may be any driving linkage 1150 (i.e., any combination of driving members 1152) known in the art.

As exemplified in FIGS. 2E and 3B, the at least one driving member 1152 that extends from one side of the air treatment assembly 1054 to the other side of the air treatment assembly 1054 may be provided below the air treatment assembly 1054.

Movement of the driving member 1152 moves the lock 1082, e.g., from the locked to the unlocked position. The driving member 1152 may be a rigid member (e.g., a molded or extruded plastic part) that is translatable. For example, the driving member 1152 may be slideably mounted to the lower surface of the air treatment assembly 1054. For example, the driving member may be slideably mounted in a channel or track 1151 provided on a lower surface of the air treatment assembly 1054. Alternately, the driving member may travel in a slot provided in lower surface of the air treatment assembly 1054. Alternately, the driving member may be flexible (e.g., a Bowden cable).

It will be appreciated that, as exemplified, the driving member 1152 comprises a portion of the lock 1082 or engages a portion of the lock 1082.

The actuator 1140 may be located on a different side of the air treatment assembly 1054 than the lock 1082 and, optionally, as exemplified in FIG. 2H, the lock 1082 and the actuator 1140 may be located on opposite sides of the air treatment assembly 1054. Optionally, one of the actuator 1140 and the lock 1082 may be on a front side of the air treatment assembly 1054 and the other of the actuator 1140 and the lock 1082 may be on the rear side. As exemplified, the lock 1082 is on the front side of the air treatment assembly 1054 and the actuator 1140 is on the rear side of the air treatment assembly 1054. Accordingly, the driving linkage 1150 may include at least one driving member 1152 which extends from one side of the air treatment assembly 1054 to the other side of the air treatment assembly 1054.

If the driving member 1152 is provided on an end of the air treatment assembly 1054 that has an air outlet of the air treatment assembly 1054, then the driving member is configured to extend between the actuator 1140 and the lock 1082 and to be moveable between the locked and unlocked position without the movement of the driving member 1152 being impeded by or blocking the air outlet of the air treatment assembly 1054.

As exemplified in FIG. 2E, the air treatment assembly 1054 includes an air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 that passes through the dirt collection region 1060. Accordingly, the driving member(s) 1152 is shaped to not contact the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 during movement of the driving member. As exemplified in FIG. 2E, the driving member(s) 1152 that extends from the rear side of the air treatment assembly 1054 to the opposed front side of the air treatment assembly 1054, is slideably mounted to the bottom side of the air treatment assembly 1054 and extends about the periphery of the air treatment assembly 1054 so to not interfere with the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126. Accordingly, the driving member 1152 has two arcuate sections. And a linear section that extends in the forward/rearward direction along a lateral side of the air treatment assembly 1054.

Alternately, as exemplified in FIG. 3B, the driving member(s) 1152 may extend across the center of the air treatment assembly 1054 (e.g., it may be generally linear), but extends around the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126. As exemplified, the driving member 1152 has a central opening 1152 a through which the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 extends. Alternately, the driving member 1152 may extend across the center of the air treatment assembly 1054 and extend around only one side of the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126.

In the examples illustrated in FIGS. 2E and 3B, the driving member 1152 extends in a plane that is generally transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100. and translates in a plane that is generally transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100.

It will be appreciated that, if the driving member 1152 is provided in a channel 1151, then the channel 1151 has a width to enable the driving member 1152 to translate between the locked position and the unlocked position. Referring to FIG. 2E, the channel has a width W that extends in the forward/rearward direction between the front end of the channel 1151 a and the rear end of the channel 1151 b.

The width W is at least equal to the width of the driving member 1152 in the forward/rearward direction and the distance that the driving member translates in the forward/rearward direction between the locked and unlocked positions. Similarly, the channel 1151 has a length L in the forward/rearward direction that is at least equal to the length of the driving member 1152 in the forward/rearward direction and the distance that the driving member translates in the forward/rearward direction between the locked and unlocked positions.

Accordingly, as exemplified in FIG. 2H, the actuator 1140 may be (a) positioned vertically higher than the pivot 1072 when the dirt collection region 1060 is in position to be emptied; (b) positioned on the same side of the dirt collection region 1060 as the pivot 1072; and/or (c) positioned on an opposite side of the dirt collection region 1060 than the lock 1082. That is, the driving linkage 1150 shown in FIG. 2H may allow for operation of the actuator 1140 on a first side of the dirt collection chamber 1066 to unlock the lock 1082 on a second side of the dirt collection chamber 1066. Where the second side of the dirt collection chamber 1066 is opposed to and faces the first side of the dirt collection chamber 1066.

An Actuator Drivingly Connected to a Dirt Collection Region End

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the actuator 1140 may be drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 to move the dirt collection region end 1070 from a first position to a second position. That is, in some examples, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 to move the dirt collection region end 1070 from the closed position to the open position. In other examples, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 to move the dirt collection region end 1070 from the open position to the closed position. In yet other examples, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 to move the dirt collection region end 1070 from the closed position to the open position and also to move the dirt collection region end 1070 from the open position to the closed position.

It is to be understood that in addition to the actuator 1140 being drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070, the actuator may also be drivingly connected to the lock 1082 and/or the air treatment chamber end 1076.

Optionally, as discussed subsequently, the actuator 1140 may be drivingly connected to at least one of the dirt collection region end 1070, the lock 1082, and/or the air treatment chamber end 1076 and indirectly drivingly connected to at least another one of the dirt collection region end 1070, the lock 1082, and/or the air treatment chamber end 1076.

An Actuator Drivingly Connected to an Air Treatment Chamber End

In accordance with one aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the actuator 1140 may be drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 to move the air treatment chamber end 1076 from a first position to a second position. That is, in some examples, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end to move the air treatment chamber end 1076 from the closed position to the open position. In other examples, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 to move the air treatment chamber end 1076 from the open position to the closed position. In yet other examples, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 to move the air treatment chamber end 1076 from the closed position to the open position and also to move the air treatment chamber end 1076 from the open position to the closed position.

It may be desirable to open the air treatment chamber end 1076 to discharge any dirt and debris that may have become lodged therein. It is to be understood that the actuator 1140 may be drivingly connected to both the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076.

As discussed herein, FIGS. 4A-4E, 5A-5D, 6A-6D, 7A-7B, and 8A-8G show various examples of an actuator 1140 that is drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076. In each of these examples, the actuator 1140 is also drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070. However, it is to be understood that only the air treatment chamber end 1076 may be drivingly connected to the actuator 1140 and other components (e.g., the dirt collection region end 1070) may be indirectly drivingly connected to the actuator 1140 or not connected to the actuator 1140 at all. Operation of the Actuator

The following is a discussion of the operation of the actuators 1140 exemplified herein.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2A-2J, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the lock 1082 because actuation of the actuator 1140 causes the lock 1082 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position. The actuator 1140 is also drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 to move the dirt collection region end 1070 once the lock 1082 is unlocked if the dirt collection region end 1070 does not swing open under the force of gravity once the lock 1082 is unlocked.

In this embodiment, the movement of the body 1148 may be considered to have two portions, a first movement (FIG. 2H to FIG. 2I), which unlocks the lock 1082 and a second movement (FIG. 2I to FIG. 2J) that moves the dirt collection region end 1070. It will be appreciated that, to a user, the movement of the actuator from the position shown in FIG. 2H to the position shown in FIG. 2J may be a single continuous movement.

During the first movement, when a user presses downwardly on the engagement surface 1146, the body 1148 moves downwardly which, in turn, moves mechanical linkage 1156 downwardly. During this first movement, the distal end 1194 of the upwardly extending driving member 1154 (which has the pivot slot 1160) abuts a cam surface 1196 of the driving member 1152 that extends below the air treatment assembly 1054. As the actuator 1140 translates downwardly to the position shown in FIG. 2I, the upwardly extending driving member 1154 translates downwardly and the distal end 1194 of the upwardly extending driving member 1154 travels along the cam surface 1196 which causes the driving member 1152 that extends below the air treatment assembly 1054 to translate rearwardly in the plane that is generally transverse to the axis of rotation 1100, releasing the lock 1082. This rearward motion moves the male engagement member 1188 out of the opening 1190 in a body 1192 of the air treatment assembly 1054, thereby unlocking the dirt collection region end 1070.

Concurrently, during the first movement, when a user presses downwardly on the engagement surface 1146, the downward movement of the mechanical linkage 1156 causes drive pin 1174, which is provided on the dirt collection region end 1070, to travel in pivot slot 1160. As the drive pin 1174 travels within the pivot slot 1160, the dirt collection region end 1070 is not driven open by the movement of the actuator 1140. It will be appreciated that, as soon as the lock is unlocked, the dirt collection region end 1070 may move to an open position by gravity and/or a biasing member (e.g., a spring).

Accordingly, as the tab portion 1148 a moves from the closed position shown in FIG. 2H to the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2I, the lock 1082 is unlocked but the dirt collection region end 1070 is not driven. In the intermediate position, the upper end of pivot slot 1160 may engage drive pin 1174.

During the second movement, the upper end of pivot slot 1160 engages drive pin 1174 and moves the drive pin 1174 downwardly. It will be appreciated that the drive pin 1174 may engage the upper end of the pivot slot 1160 as the lock is unlocked. Accordingly, continued movement of the body 1148 from the intermediate position shown in FIG. 2I to the open position shown in FIG. 2J drives the drive pin 1174 downwardly, which opens the dirt collection region end 1070.

For this reason, the exemplified mechanical linkage 1156 has the pivot slot 1160. Accordingly, the mechanical linkage 1156 (e.g., distal end 1194 with the pivot slot 1160) may drive the lock 1082 to the unlocked position during the first movement (i.e., prior to engaging and moving the dirt collection region end 1070). During the second movement the pivot slot 1160 engages the drive pin 1174 and moves the dirt collection region end 1070 to an open position.

It will be appreciated that the body 1148 and the mechanical linkage 1156 may be a single member and that a pivot connection (pivot point 1158) may not be required. An advantage of pivot point 1158 is to enable angular movement of body 1148 to mechanical linkage 1156 as the body 1148 moves.

It will be also appreciated that if the actuator 1140 is not driving connected to the lock 1082, then the linkage member may be connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 such that any downward movement of body 1148 moves the dirt collection region end 1070 to the open position. Accordingly, a pivot slot 1160 may not be used. Instead, the lower end of mechanical linkage 1156 may be pivotally connected to drive pin 1174.

It will also be appreciated that the actuator 1140 may only be drivingly connected to the lock 1082 and not the dirt collection region end 1070. In such a case the mechanical linkage may not be connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 and therefore need not have a pivot slot 1160.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3C, the portion of the driving member 1152 with the cam surface 1196 is positioned on an upper side of the dirt collection region end 1070. Therefore, during the first movement, the downward movement of the body 1148 moves the cam surface rearwardly and unlocks the lock 1082. During the second movement, continued downward movement moves the cam surface 1196 (which has reached the rearward extent of its travels) to move downwardly which, in turn, moves the dirt collection region end 1070 downwardly.

In the embodiment exemplified in FIGS. 4A-4E, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076. The lock 1082 in the example illustrated in FIGS. 4A-4E is not drivingly connected to the actuator 1140. In the example shown, the lock 1082 is manually transitioned from the locked position (see FIG. 4C) to the unlocked position (see FIG. 4D) by pushing on an upper activation surface 1198 of the lock 1082. It will be appreciated that any lock actuator or remote lock actuator may be used.

As exemplified in FIG. 4C, the driving linkage 1150 is a rack and pinion assembly 1200. As the actuator 1140 is linearly translated, a rack 1202 of the rack and pinion assembly 1200 also linearly translates, causing rotation of a coupled pinion gear 1204. In the example illustrated, the pinion gear 1204 is drivingly coupled to a belt 1162. The belt extends between the upper pulley 1164 a and the lower pully 1164 b. Lower pulley 1164 b is drivingly coupled to the dirt collection region end 1070. Accordingly, in the example illustrated, downward linear translation of the actuator 1140 causes the rack 1202 to translate downwardly, which causes pinion gear 1204 to rotate. The pinion gear 1204 is non-rotatably mounted to the pivot of the air treatment chamber end 1076 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 is also non-rotatably mounted to the same pivot. This rotation therefore causes the air treatment chamber end 1076 to rotate to the open position. Similarly, the lower pulley 1164 b is non-rotatably mounted to the pivot of the dirt collection region end 1070 and the dirt collection region end 1070 is also non-rotatably mounted to the same pivot. Accordingly, this rotation therefore causes the dirt collection region end 1070 to rotate to the open position.

It will be appreciated that, the rack 1202 may only be drivingly coupled to one of the air treatment chamber end 1076 and the dirt collection region end 1070. For example, if the air treatment chamber 1058 has an openable end that is the dirt collection region end 1070, then only the dirt collection region end 1070 would need to be opened.

It will also be appreciated that, as exemplified in FIGS. 4A-4E, the upper and lower pullies 1164 a, 1164 b, may have similar diameters. Therefore, the air treatment chamber end 1076 and the dirt collection region end 1070 may open at the same rate.

Alternately, as exemplified in FIGS. 5A-5D, the upper and lower pullies 1164 a, 1164 b may have different diameters. The pully with the greater diameter will rotate slower and therefore the end 1070, 1076 driven by the pulley with the larger diameter will open slower. As exemplified in FIGS. 5A-5D, the pinion gear and/or pully drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 is larger than the pinion gear and/or pully drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070. Accordingly, linear translation of the rack 1202 will cause the dirt collection region end 1070 to rotate more rapidly than the air treatment chamber end 1076. This may allow for debris to be emptied from the dirt collection region 1060 by rotation of the dirt collection region end 1070 before debris is emptied from the air treatment chamber 1058. Accordingly, this may avoid the opening of the air treatment chamber end 1076 compressing dirt in the dirt collection chamber.

As exemplified in FIGS. 6A-6D, the actuator 1140 is a lever 1144 rotatable between a first position (FIGS. 6A and 6C) and a second position (FIGS. 6B and 6D). As shown, the drivingly linkage 1150 comprises a plurality of driving members (e.g., pinned mechanical linkages) which drivingly connect the actuator 1140 to the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 such that rotational motion of the actuator 1140 causes rotational movement of the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076.

As exemplified, lever 1144 is non-rotatably mounted to upper pivot 1222 and upper linking lever 1232 is also non-rotatably mounted to upper pivot 1222. Connecting arm 1234 is rotatably mounted to linking lever 1232 and lower lever 1236. Lower linking arm 1236 is non-rotatably mounted to lower pivot 1072. The dirt collection region end 1070 is non-rotatably mounted to the lower pivot 1072. Therefore, rearward (downward) rotation of the lever 1144 will drive the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 to the open position. Similarly, upward (frontward) rotation of the lever 1144 will drive the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 to the open closed.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D, each linking arm 1232, 1236 is non-rotatably mounted to a pivot 1072, 1222 so that the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 rotate at the same rate.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, one of the linking arms 1232, 1236 may be mounted to rotate at a different rate to the other. Accordingly, as exemplified, an eccentric 1238 may be provided. A linking arm, e.g., upper linking arm 1232, may be eccentrically mounted to the eccentric 1238. Accordingly, the eccentric will cause the upper linking arm 1232 to rotate at a greater rate than the upper pivot 1222 and thereby cause the lower pivot 1072 to rotate at a faster rate. Accordingly, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-5D, the dirt collection region end 1070 will rotate more rapidly than the air treatment chamber end 1076.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A-8G, another example of an actuator drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end and the air treatment chamber end is exemplified. As shown, the drivingly linkage may include a plurality of driving members 1152 (e.g., pinned mechanical linkages) which drivingly connect the actuator 1140 to the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 such that rotational motion of the actuator 1140 causes rotational movement of the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076.

As exemplified in FIG. 8B, a first pinned mechanical linkage 1220 a extends between the actuator 1140 and the dirt collection region end 1070. The dirt collection region end 1070 is further connected to a pivot 1072. Accordingly, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, linear translation of the actuator 1140 causes rotational movement of the dirt collection region end 1070 about the pivot 1072.

A second pinned mechanical linkage 1220 b and a third pinned mechanical linkage 1220 c extend between the first pinned mechanical linkage 1220 a and a pivot 1222 drivingly coupled to the air treatment chamber end 1076. As shown in FIGS. 8C and 8D, linear translation of the actuator 1140 causes linear translation of the first pinned mechanical linkage 1220 a which causes rotation of the pivot 1222 drivingly coupled to the air treatment chamber end 1076.

As exemplified, spring 1172 may bias the actuator to the upper (closed) position. Therefore, when a user releases the actuator 1140, the driving linkage may drive the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 to the closed position. If the actuator is also driving connected to the lock 1082, a user releasing the actuator may also drive the lock to the locked position.

As exemplified in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the actuator 1140 is drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 and the dirt collection region end 1070 is drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 (i.e., the actuator 1140 is indirectly drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076). A pinned mechanical linkage 1224 extends between the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 such that downward motion of the actuator 1140 is translated through the driving member 1154 and causes rotation of the dirt collection region end 1070 which, in turn, causes rotation of the air treatment chamber end 1076.

Another example of the actuator 1140 being drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 and indirectly drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 is shown in FIGS. 10A and 10B. As exemplified, the air treatment chamber end 1076 is rigidly (non-rotationally) supported by the dirt collection region end 1070 by a support (the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126) that is rigidly connected to each of the dirt collection region end 1070 and the air treatment chamber end 1076 such that movement of the dirt collection region end 1070 moves the air treatment chamber end 1076.

Another example of the actuator 1140 being drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 and indirectly drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 is shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B. As shown, the air treatment chamber end 1076 may be pivotally connected to a sidewall 1056 of the air treatment chamber 1058 and pivotally connected to the first end 1128 of the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126. The second end 1130 of the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 is rigidly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070.

Another example of the actuator 1140 being drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end 1070 and indirectly drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end 1076 is shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B. The example shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B is similar to that shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, however, the second end 1130 of the air treatment chamber air outlet conduit 1126 is pivotally connected to the dirt collection region end 1070.

General Description of a Pre-Motor Filter

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the surface cleaning apparatus may include a pre-motor filter 1110.

The pre-motor filter 1110 may be positioned at any location within the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 along the air flow path 1044 between the air treatment assembly 1054 and the fan and motor assembly 1050. For example, as shown in FIG. 1C, the pre-motor filter 1110 may be positioned below the air treatment assembly 1054 and above the fan and motor assembly 1050. That is, an axis that extends between first and second ends of the air treatment assembly (e.g., the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 in the example illustrated), may extend through the pre-motor filter 1110 and the fan and motor assembly 1050. In alternative examples the fan and motor assembly 1050 may not be positioned below the pre-motor filter 1110.

In some examples, as shown in FIG. 1C, the pre-motor filter 1110 may be at least partially recessed within the air treatment assembly 1054 (optionally, partially or fully within the dirt collection region 1060 of the air treatment assembly 1054). Accordingly, a plane A (see e.g., 2F) that is transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 may extend through each of the pre-motor filter 1110 and the air treatment assembly 1054 and, optionally, though the dirt collection region 1060 (i.e., external dirt collection chamber 1066) and the pre-motor filter 1110.

To be at least partially recessed rearwardly of the dirt collection region 1060, a cross-sectional area in plane A may be larger than a cross-sectional area of the pre-motor filter 1110 in plane A.

FIG. 2F shows a bottom perspective view of the air treatment assembly 1054 of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 shown in FIG. 1B wherein the pre-motor filter 1110 is omitted so as to show the pre-motor filter housing 1112 in which the pre-motor filter 1110 may be removably housed. It will be appreciated that the pre-motor filter 1110 may be releasably secured in the pre-motor filter housing 1112 and removed with the air treatment assembly 1054 from the fan and motor assembly 1050. Alternately, the pre-motor filter 1110 may be mounted to the upper end of the fan and motor assembly 1050 and may remain with the fan and motor assembly 1050 when the air treatment assembly 1054 is removed. In such a case, the pre-motor filter 1110 may be removably received in the pre-motor filter housing 1112 when the air treatment assembly 1054 is mounted to the fan and motor assembly 1050.

The air treatment assembly 1054 has a front side 1240 and a rear side 1242, and the front side 1240 of the air treatment assembly 1054 is positioned outwardly from a front side 1244 of the pre-motor filter housing 1112 (i.e., a forward facing edge 1246 of the pre-motor filter 1110 may be recessed rearwardly from the front side 1240 of the air treatment assembly 1054). Accordingly, in the example illustrated, dirt may collect in a portion of the dirt collection region 1060 which is provided between the front side 1240 of the air treatment assembly 1054 and the front side 1244 of the pre-motor filter housing 1112. Optionally, as shown, the front side 1240 of the air treatment assembly 1054 may be positioned outwardly from the front side 1244 of the pre-motor filter housing 1112 and the rear side 1242 of the air treatment assembly 1054 may include the air inlet 1062 to the air treatment chamber 1058.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the pre-motor filter may instead be mounted in the upper end of the fan and motor housing and the lower end of the dirt collection region 1060 may be positioned in front of the pre-motor filter when the air treatment assembly is positioned on (e.g., mounted to) the fan and motor housing. Accordingly, in either embodiment, the pre-motor filter may be recessed rearwardly of the dirt collection region 1060 (e.g., and external dirt collection chamber) such that the front side 1244 of the pre-motor filter housing 1112 is rearward of the front side 1240 of the air treatment assembly 1054.

It will be appreciated that that pre-motor filter 1110 may be removable insertable into the lower end of the air treatment assembly 1054 or the pre-motor filter housing 1112 may be removable insertable into the lower end of the air treatment assembly 1054 when the air treatment assembly 1054 is removed from the upright section 1030 of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000.

As exemplified in FIG. 1B, the fan and motor housing 1052 in which the fan and motor assembly 1050 are housed may remain secured to the upright section 1030 of the surface cleaning apparatus 1000 when the air treatment assembly 1054 is removed therefrom.

The air treatment assembly 1054 with or without the pre-motor filter 1110 may be removed from the upright section 1030 by any means known in the art. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1B, the air treatment assembly 1054 with the pre-motor filter 1110 is removable in an upper direction from the upright section 1030 (i.e., away from the upper end of the fan and motor assembly 1050 when the fan and motor assembly 1050 is arranged with its upper end above its lower end).

A Cyclone Chamber Air Inlet

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the air treatment chamber 1058 may be a cyclonic air treatment chamber having an air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 wherein at least of portion of the air treatment chamber air inlet is generally rectangular but with opposed curved or arcuate ends.

The air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 may extend from an air treatment chamber air inlet port 1250 through which air may enter the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 to an air treatment chamber air outlet port 1252 through which air may exit the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 and enter the air treatment chamber 1058. That is, the inlet port 1250 may be at an upstream end of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 and the outlet port 1252 may be at a downstream end of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062.

As exemplified in FIG. 2D, all of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062, including the inlet port 1250, is generally rectangular. Accordingly, the inlet port 1250 has a perimeter comprising first and second opposed lateral sides 1254, 1256 each having a first end 1258 and a spaced apart second end 1260. The first and second opposed lateral sides 1254, 1256 are generally linear and optionally are linear. As shown in FIG. 2D, the inlet port 1250 may have a third (upper) side 1262 extending between the first ends 1258 of the first and second sides 1254, 1256. A fourth (lower) side 1264 may extend between the second ends 1260 of the first and second sides 1254, 1256. In the example illustrated, each of the third and fourth sides 1262, 1264 are arcuate in shape. In other examples, only one of the first and second sides 1254, 1256 may be generally linear or linear and/or only one of the third and fourth sides 1262, 1264 may be arcuate.

As exemplified, the outlet port 1252 has the same shape as the inlet port 1250. It will be appreciated that, in alternate embodiments, a portion of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 may have a non-generally rectangular shape and one of the ports may, accordingly, have a non-generally rectangular shape.

Optionally, at least the downstream end of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 including the outlet port 1252 has a generally rectangular shape as described herein. Further, optionally, the long dimension is in the axial direction. An advantage of this design is that the air entering the cyclone chamber may be thinner than wider thereby enabling the cyclone chamber to have a reduced diameter.

The outlet port 1252 may be positioned in the curved inner wall 1266 of the cyclone chamber 1086 and accordingly the size (i.e., the cross-sectional area in a plane transverse to the direction of air flow through the outlet port 1252) may be larger than the inlet port 1250.

The portion, if any, of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 that is not generally rectangular shape may be of any shape or size known in the art, for example, circular in a plane transverse to a direction of air flow therethrough.

An Air Treatment Chamber Air Outlet Screen

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, the air treatment chamber 1058 may be a cyclonic air treatment chamber and the air treatment chamber air outlet 1064 may include a screen 1270 that extends along the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 into the air treatment chamber 1058. The screen 1270 may stop unwanted dirt and debris from passing out from the air treatment chamber 1058 toward the fan and motor assembly 1050.

The screen 1270 may be of any shape or size known in the art. That is, the cross-sectional shape (constant or variable) of the screen 1270 may be of any cross-sectional shape known in the art and the length 1272 of the screen 1270 may be of any length known in the art. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2F, the screen 1270 is conical in shape. When conically shaped, the diameter 1274 of the conical screen 1270 at the base may be of any diameter known in the art and an angle 1276 that the conical screen 1270 extends with respect to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 may be any angle known in the art.

Optionally, in accordance with this aspect, the screen 1270 may extend at an angle from 5°-15°, such as, for example, 7.5°-12.5°, or 10°.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 2F, the screen 1270 extends linearly. In other examples, the screen 1270 may extend along a curved path.

As shown in FIG. 2F, the screen 1270 may be positioned at the same end of the air treatment chamber 1058 as air treatment chamber air inlet 1062.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 2F, the screen 1270 may extend from an axially opposed end of the air treatment chamber 1058 as the dirt outlet 1108. In some examples, as illustrated in FIG. 2F, the screen 1270 may extend a length 1272 from an axially opposed end of the air treatment chamber 1058 as the dirt outlet 1108 such that a plane transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 may extend through each of the screen 1270 and the dirt outlet 1108.

As shown in FIG. 2F, the screen 1270 may extend outwardly from an air impermeable outlet conduit 1280 of the air treatment chamber air outlet 1064.

Optionally, the outlet conduit 1280 may be positioned such that a plane transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 may extend through each of an outlet port 1252 of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 and the outlet conduit 1280. As shown in FIG. 2F, the outlet conduit 1280 may extend along the cyclone axis of rotation 1100 into the air treatment chamber 1058 a first distance 1282 which may be greater than a distance 1284 that the outlet port 1252 of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 extends. Alternatively, the outlet port 1252 of the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062 may extend axially into the cyclone chamber a distance 1284 which is greater that the distance 1282 that outlet conduit 1280 extends into the air treatment chamber 1058.

As shown in FIG. 2H, the outlet conduit 1280 may have a first portion 1286 that extends into the air treatment chamber 1058 a first distance 1282 and a second portion 1290 that extends into the air treatment chamber 1058 a second distance 1292. As shown, the first distance 1282 may be greater that the second distance 1292.

As shown in FIG. 2G, the first portion 1286 of the outlet conduit 1280, which is air impermeable, may generally face the air treatment chamber air inlet 1062. In the example illustrated in FIG. 2G, the first portion 1286 extends 180° about the circumference of the outlet conduit 1280 and the second portion 1290 extends 180° about the circumference of the outlet conduit 1280. In other example, each of the first and second portions may extend more or less than 180° about the circumference of the outlet conduit 1280.

A Helical Member

In accordance with this aspect of this disclosure, which may be used by itself or in combination with one or more other aspects of this disclosure, a helical member 1294 (i.e., a helical shroud) may be positioned radially outwardly of the screen member 1270. The helical member 1294 may stop debris such as hair from passing out from the air treatment chamber 1058 (e.g., cyclone chamber) as well as capture the hair. Being helical in shape may allow for the hair to be easily removed from the helical member 1294 during cleaning of the air treatment chamber 1058. That is, a user of the surface cleaning apparatus may twist the hair off the helical member 1294 to clean the helical member 1294.

The helical member 1294 may be of any shape known in the art. Optionally, the helical member has the same shape as the screen 1270. For example, the helical member 1294 may be tapered, as exemplified in FIGS. 17A and 17B and may be at least partially conical in shape.

In the example illustrated in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the helical member 1294 is shown isolated from the screen member 1270. However, it is to be understood that the helical member 1294 shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B may be positioned radially outward of the screen member 1270 shown, for example, in FIG. 2F. For example, it may be part of the screen 1270 and non-removably mounted thereto (e.g., affixed thereto or formed as part thereof) or it may be removably mounted around the screen 1270.

In the example illustrated, the helical member 1294 has four ribs 1296 a, 1296 b, 1296 c, 1296 d that extend in a spiral direction between a first end 1298 of the helical member 1294 and a second end 1300 of the helical member 1294. In other examples, the helical member 1294 may have more than four ribs 1296 or less than four ribs 1296.

Each rib 1296 of the helical member 1294 may be of any shape known in the art and each rib may have the same shape as other ribs or a different shape from other ribs.

As exemplified, each rib 1296 has a diameter 1302 that changes (optionally narrows) from the axial outer end 1306 to the axial inner end 1308. The diameter may narrow continuously from the first end 1298 of the helical member 1294 to the second end of the helical member 1294 located at the axial inner end 1308 or for only a portion of the axial distance between the first end 1298 of the helical member 1294 and the second end of the helical member 1294 located at the axial inner end 1308.

Accordingly, what has been described above is intended to be illustrative of the claimed concept and non-limiting. It will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

CLAUSES Set 1

-   -   1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path;         -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path,             the air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment             chamber and a dirt collection chamber that is external to             the air treatment chamber, the air treatment chamber having             an air treatment chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber             air outlet and a dirt outlet in communication with the dirt             collection chamber, the air treatment chamber having an             openable air treatment chamber end that is moveable between             a closed position and an open position and the dirt             collection chamber having a dirt collection chamber end that             is moveable between a closed position and an open position;             and,         -   (c) an actuator is also drivingly connected to the air             treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end,             the actuator is operable between a closed position in which             each of the air treatment chamber and the dirt collection             chamber is closed and an open position in which each of the             air treatment chamber and the dirt collection chamber is             open,         -   wherein the actuator is operable to move one of the air             treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end             from the closed position while the other of the air             treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end             remains in the closed position.     -   2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         actuator is operable to move the dirt collection chamber end         from the closed position while the air treatment chamber end         remains in the closed position.     -   3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         actuator is operable to initially commence movement of one of         the air treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber         end from the closed position and to then commence movement of         the other of the air treatment chamber end and the dirt         collection chamber end while the one of the air treatment         chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end continues         movement from the closed position.     -   4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein a driving         linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the air treatment         chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end and the driving         linkage comprises a rack and pinion assembly.     -   5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein a driving         linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the air treatment         chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end and the driving         linkage comprises a rack and pully assembly.     -   6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein a driving         linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the air treatment         chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end, the actuator         comprises a hand grip portion and the hand grip portion         comprises a rotatably mounted portion of the driving linkage.     -   7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt         collection chamber end is spaced from and faces the air         treatment chamber end.     -   8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the dirt         collection chamber end rotates about 90° to the open position         prior to the air treatment chamber end opening.     -   9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein, for at         least a portion of the movement of the dirt collection chamber         end from the closed position to the open position, the dirt         collection chamber end and the air treatment chamber end open         concurrently and the air treatment chamber end moves at a speed         that is different to a speed at which the dirt collection         chamber moves.     -   10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein, for at         least a portion of the movement of the dirt collection chamber         end from the closed position to the open position, the dirt         collection chamber end and the air treatment chamber end open         concurrently and the air treatment chamber end moves at a speed         that is about half a speed at which the dirt collection chamber         moves.     -   11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the air         treatment chamber air outlet comprises a conduit that is         provided on the dirt collection chamber end and the conduit         moves with the dirt collection chamber end.     -   12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the air         treatment chamber air outlet comprises a conduit in the dirt         collection chamber and the conduit remains in position when the         dirt collection chamber end is moved to the open position.     -   13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the air         treatment chamber air outlet comprises a conduit that is         provided on the air treatment chamber end and the conduit moves         with the ais treatment chamber end.     -   14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         actuator is moveable from an in use position, in which the dirt         collection chamber end is in a closed position, to an emptying         position, in which the dirt collection chamber end is in an open         position, and the surface cleaning apparatus further comprises a         biasing member that biases the actuator towards the in use         position.     -   15. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 further         comprising a lock that is operable between a locked position in         which the dirt collection chamber end is securable in the closed         position and an unlocked position in which the dirt collection         chamber end is openable, wherein a driving linkage drivingly         connects the actuator with the lock and the driving linkage         includes a linking member that is located under a lower surface         of the air treatment assembly.     -   16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 15 wherein the         actuator is provided on a first side of the air treatment         assembly and the lock is provided on a second side that is         opposed to and faces the first side.     -   17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16 wherein the         surface cleaning apparatus has a front side having the dirty air         inlet and the first side is a rear side of the air treatment         assembly and the second side is a front side of the air         treatment assembly.     -   18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 16 wherein the dirt         collection chamber end is moveably mounted to the air treatment         assembly on the first side and the second side is opposed to and         faces the first side.     -   19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 further         comprising a lock that is operable between a locked position in         which the dirt collection chamber end is securable in the closed         position and an unlocked position in which the dirt collection         chamber end is openable, wherein the air treatment assembly has         an axis that that extends between a first end of the air         treatment assembly and the dirt collection chamber end, a         driving linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the lock         and the driving linkage includes a linking member that extends         in a plane that is generally transverse to the axis.     -   20. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 further         comprising a lock that is operable between a locked position in         which the dirt collection chamber end is securable in the closed         position and an unlocked position in which the dirt collection         chamber end is openable, wherein the air treatment assembly has         an axis that that extends between a first end of the air         treatment assembly and the dirt collection chamber end, a         driving linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the lock         and the driving linkage includes a linking member that         translates in a plane that is generally transverse to the axis         as the lock moves between the locked and unlocked positions.

Set 2

-   -   1. An upright surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) a surface cleaning head having a dirty air inlet and a             surface cleaning head air outlet;         -   (b) an upright section moveably mounted to the surface             cleaning head between an upright storage position and a             reclined operating position;         -   (c) air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path;         -   (d) an air treatment assembly that is removably mountable to             the upright section and is provided in the air flow path             when mounted to the upright section, the air treatment             assembly comprising an air treatment chamber having an air             treatment chamber air inlet and an air treatment chamber air             outlet that is provided at an air outlet end of the air             treatment chamber; and,         -   (e) a pre-motor filter that is provided in the air outlet             end of the air treatment chamber and downstream of the air             outlet of the air treatment chamber,         -   whereby the pre-motor filter is removable with the air             treatment assembly when the air treatment assembly is             removed from the upright section.     -   2. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein         the upright section comprises a fan and motor housing in which         the fan and motor assembly is provided and the air treatment         assembly is removably mounted to the fan and motor housing.     -   3. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 2 wherein         the air treatment assembly is removable in an upper direction         from an upper end of the fan and motor housing.     -   4. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein         the air treatment assembly has a front side and a rear side, the         rear side has an air treatment assembly air inlet and, when the         pre-motor filter is provided in the air treatment assembly, the         pre-motor filter has a forward facing edge that is recessed         rearwardly from the front side of the air treatment assembly.     -   5. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 4 wherein         the air treatment assembly further comprises a dirt collection         chamber that is external to the air treatment chamber and a         portion of the dirt collection chamber is provided between the         front side of the air treatment chamber and the forward facing         edge of the pre-motor filter.     -   6. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 4 wherein         the air treatment chamber comprises a cyclone chamber having a         cyclone axis of rotation and the air treatment assembly further         comprises a dirt collection chamber that is external to the         cyclone chamber and a plane that is transverse to the cyclone         axis of rotation extends through the dirt collection chamber and         the pre-motor filter.     -   7. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein         the pre-motor filter is generally planar.     -   8. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein         the air treatment assembly has a first end and an opposed second         end, the pre-motor filter is provided at the second end, an axis         extends between the first and second ends, the second end of the         air treatment assembly has a cross-sectional area in a first         plane that is transverse to the axis that is larger than a         cross-sectional area of a downstream face of the pre-motor         filter in a second plane that is transverse to the axis.     -   9. The upright surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein         the pre-motor filter is generally planar.     -   10. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path;         -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path,             the air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment             chamber and a dirt collection chamber external to the air             treatment chamber, the air treatment chamber having an air             treatment chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber air             outlet and a dirt outlet in communication with the dirt             collection chamber, the air treatment assembly has a first             end, an opposed second the end and an axis extends between             the first and second ends; and,         -   (c) a pre-motor filter that is provided downstream of the             air outlet end of the air treatment chamber,         -   wherein a plane that is transverse to the axis extends             through the dirt collection chamber and the pre-motor             filter.     -   11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the         pre-motor filter is removable with the air treatment assembly         when the air treatment assembly is removed from the surface         cleaning apparatus.     -   12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the         pre-motor filter is recessed in to an end of the air treatment         assembly.     -   13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the         pre-motor filter is generally planar.     -   14. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the         pre-motor filter is housed in an end of the air treatment         assembly, the end of the air treatment assembly has a         cross-sectional area in a first plane that is transverse to the         axis that is larger than a cross-sectional area of a downstream         face of the pre-motor filter in a second plane that is         transverse to the axis.     -   15. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path;         -   (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path,             the air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment             chamber and a dirt collection chamber external to the air             treatment chamber, the air treatment chamber having an air             treatment chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber air             outlet and a dirt outlet in communication with the dirt             collection chamber, the air treatment assembly has a first             end, an opposed second the end and an axis extends between             the first and second ends; and,         -   (c) air flow path extending from the dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path; and,         -   (d) a pre-motor filter that is provided downstream of the             air outlet end of the air treatment chamber,         -   wherein the second end of the air treatment assembly has a             cross-sectional area in a first plane that is transverse to             the axis that is larger than a cross-sectional area of a             downstream face of the pre-motor filter in a second plane             that is transverse to the axis.     -   16. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 15 wherein the         pre-motor filter is removable with the air treatment assembly         when the air treatment assembly is removed from the surface         cleaning apparatus.     -   17. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 15 wherein the         pre-motor filter is recessed in to an end of the air treatment         assembly.     -   18. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 15 wherein the         pre-motor filter is generally planar.     -   19. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 15 a plane that is         transverse to the axis extends through the dirt collection         chamber and the pre-motor filter.     -   20. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 19 wherein the         pre-motor filter is generally planar.

Set 3

-   -   1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path; and,         -   (b) a cyclone chamber provided in the air flow path, the             cyclone chamber comprising a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone             air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, the cyclone air             outlet comprising a conical screen wherein the screen             extends at an angle from 5°-15° from the cyclone axis of             rotation.     -   2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 further comprising         a dirt collection chamber that is external to the cyclone         chamber, the cyclone chamber further comprises a dirt outlet         that connects the cyclone chamber with the dirt collection         chamber, the cyclone air outlet is at a first end of the cyclone         chamber, the dirt outlet is at an axially opposed second end of         the cyclone chamber and the screen extends from the first end to         a position at a location of the dirt outlet at the second end.     -   3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 further comprising         a dirt collection chamber that is external to the cyclone         chamber, the cyclone chamber further comprises a dirt outlet         that connects the cyclone chamber with the dirt collection         chamber, the cyclone air outlet is at a first end of the cyclone         chamber, the dirt outlet is at an axially opposed second end of         the cyclone chamber, and the screen extends from the first end         towards the second end and a plane that is transverse to the         cyclone axis of rotation extends through the screen and the dirt         outlet.     -   4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the screen         extends at an angle of 10° from the cyclone axis of rotation.     -   5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         cyclone air outlet is at a first end of the cyclone chamber and         comprises an air impermeable outlet conduit that is located in         the cyclone chamber, the cyclone air inlet is provided at the         first end of the cyclone chamber and the screen overlies at an         inlet end of the outlet conduit and extend axially inwardly into         the cyclone chamber from the outlet conduit.     -   6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 5 wherein a plane         that is transverse to the cyclone axis of rotation extends         through the outlet conduit and an outlet port of the cyclone air         inlet.     -   7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 6 wherein the         cyclone air inlet has an outlet port and the outlet port extends         axially into the cyclone chamber a first distance and the outlet         conduit extends axially into the cyclone chamber a second         distance that is greater than the first distance.

Set 4

-   -   1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path; and         -   (b) a cyclone chamber provided in the air flow path, the             cyclone chamber comprising a cyclone air inlet, a cyclone             air outlet and a cyclone axis of rotation, the cyclone air             inlet have an outlet port at a downstream end of the cyclone             air inlet, wherein the outlet port has a perimeter             comprising first and second opposed sides that are generally             linear, each side having a first end and a spaced apart             second end, a third side that extends between the first ends             of the first and second sides and a fourth side that extends             between the second ends of the first and second sides,             wherein at least one of the third and fourth sides is             arcuate.     -   2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein each of         the third and fourth sides is arcuate.     -   3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein each of         the first and second sides extends linearly between the first         and second ends.     -   4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         cyclone air inlet has an inlet port that is circular in a plane         transverse to a direction of air flow through the inlet port.     -   5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         cyclone air inlet has an inlet port that has a perimeter which         is the same shape as the perimeter of the outlet port.     -   6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         cyclone chamber has an axial length that is 1.1-2 times a         diameter of the cyclone chamber.     -   7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         cyclone chamber has an axial length that is 1.25-2 times a         diameter of the cyclone chamber.     -   8. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         cyclone chamber has an axial length that is 1.25-1.5 times a         diameter of the cyclone chamber.

Set 5

-   -   1. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path;         -   (b) an air treatment chamber positioned in the air flow             path, the air treatment chamber having an air treatment             chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber air out, a first             end, a second end and an axis the extends between the first             and second ends, the air treatment chamber air outlet             comprising an outlet port and a porous member positioned             upstream of the outlet port and extending axially into the             air treatment chamber; and,         -   (c) a helical member positioned radially outwardly of the             porous member and extending around the porous member.     -   2. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the porous         member comprises a screen.     -   3. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 2 wherein the screen         comprises a conical section.     -   4. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 3 wherein the         helical member is removable from the screen.     -   5. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 3 wherein the         helical member comprises at least one helically extending rib         that has a diameter which narrows towards an axial inner end of         the helical member.     -   6. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 5 wherein the         helical member comprises a plurality of helically extending         ribs.     -   7. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 1 wherein the         helical member is removable from the porous member.     -   8. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising:         -   (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a             clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in             the air flow path;         -   (b) an air treatment chamber positioned in the air flow             path, the air treatment chamber having an air treatment             chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber air out, a first             end, a second end and an axis the extends between the first             and second ends, the air treatment chamber air outlet             comprising an outlet port and a porous member positioned             upstream of the outlet port and extending axially into the             air treatment chamber; and,         -   (c) a tapered member positioned radially outwardly of the             porous member and comprising a plurality of spiral ribs             extending around the porous member.     -   9. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the porous         member comprises a screen.     -   10. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 9 wherein the         screen comprises a conical section.     -   11. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the         tapered member is removable from the screen.     -   12. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 10 wherein the         spiral ribs narrow towards an axial inner end of the tapered         member.     -   13. The surface cleaning apparatus of clause 8 wherein the         spiral ribs narrow towards an axial inner end of the tapered         member. 

1.-40. (canceled)
 41. A surface cleaning apparatus comprising: (a) an air flow path extending from a dirty air inlet to a clean air outlet with a fan and motor assembly provided in the air flow path; (b) an air treatment assembly provided in the air flow path, the air treatment assembly comprising an air treatment chamber having an air treatment chamber air inlet, an air treatment chamber air outlet and a dirt collection region, the dirt collection region having a dirt collection region end that is moveable between a closed position and an open position; (c) a lock operable between a locked position in which the dirt collection region end is securable in the closed position and an unlocked position in which the dirt collection region end is openable; and, (d) an actuator drivingly connected to the lock and operable to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position, wherein the actuator is provided on a first side of the air treatment assembly and the lock is provided on a second side of the air treatment assembly, and wherein the actuator is also drivingly connected to the dirt collection region end to move the dirt collection region end from the closed position to the open position and the actuator is operable to move the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position prior to moving the dirt collection region end from the closed position to the open position.
 42. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein a driving linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the lock and the driving linkage includes a linking member that is located under a lower surface of the air treatment assembly.
 43. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein the second side is opposed to and faces the first side.
 44. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein the dirt collection region end is moveably mounted to the air treatment assembly on the first side and the second side is opposed to and faces the first side.
 45. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein a driving linkage drivingly connects the actuator with the lock and the driving linkage comprises a linearly extending drive rod that is slideably mounted in a sidewall of the air treatment assembly.
 46. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 45 wherein the actuator comprises a tab portion that extends outwardly from the driving linkage.
 47. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein the dirt collection region comprises a dirt collection chamber that is external to the air treatment chamber, the air treatment chamber having an openable air treatment chamber end that is moveable between a closed position and an open position, and the dirt collection region end is an openable dirt collection chamber end, wherein the actuator is also drivingly connected to the air treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end, the actuator is operable between a closed position in which each of the air treatment chamber and the dirt collection chamber is closed and an open position in which each of the air treatment chamber and the dirt collection chamber is open, and wherein the actuator is operable to move one of the air treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end from the closed position while the other of the air treatment chamber end and the dirt collection chamber end commences movement remains in the closed position.
 48. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 47 wherein the dirt collection chamber end is spaced from and faces the air treatment chamber end.
 49. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 48 wherein the dirt collection chamber end rotates about 90° to the open position prior to the air treatment chamber end opening.
 50. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 48 wherein, for at least a portion of the movement of the dirt collection chamber end from the closed position to the open position, the dirt collection chamber end and the air treatment chamber end open concurrently and the air treatment chamber end moves at a speed that is different to a speed at which the dirt collection chamber moves.
 51. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 48 wherein, for at least a portion of the movement of the dirt collection chamber end from the closed position to the open position, the dirt collection chamber end and the air treatment chamber end open concurrently and the air treatment chamber end moves at a speed that is about half a speed at which the dirt collection chamber moves.
 52. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein the air treatment chamber air outlet comprises a conduit that is provided on the dirt collection region end and the conduit moves with the dirt collection region end.
 53. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein the air treatment chamber air outlet comprises a conduit in the dirt collection region and the conduit remains in position when the dirt collection region end is moved to the open position.
 54. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 41 wherein the actuator has a distal end that is directly drivingly connected to both the lock and the dirt collection region end.
 55. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 54 wherein the distal end comprises a pivot slot and the dirt collection region end has a drive pin that is positioned in the pivot slot.
 56. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 54 wherein lock comprises a cam surface and the distal end of the actuator traves along the cam surface whereby the actuator moves the lock from the locked position to the unlocked position.
 57. The surface cleaning apparatus of claim 56 wherein the distal end comprises a pivot slot and the dirt collection region end has a drive pin that is positioned in the pivot slot. 